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Classroom · Spelling · CCSS L.3.2f

spelling words

80 words in 8 lists of ten, each built around one spelling pattern: spelling rules for endings, plurals, contractions, homophones and affixes. Every list has a free five-page printable: the word list with its spelling rule, look-say-cover-write-check, a word scramble, ABC order and an answer key.

The 3rd grade pack

All 8 lists on two pages, a score tracker and a Spelling Star certificate.

3rd Grade pack(color)free by emailInk saver (B&W)
Or make a worksheet with your own words

List 1: Doubling and dropping e

Double the consonant after a short vowel; drop the silent e before -ing or -ed.

  1. hoping
  2. hopping
  3. making
  4. taking
  5. riding
  6. shopping
  7. planned
  8. smiled
  9. baked
  10. swimming
List 1 worksheets(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)
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List 2: Plurals -s, -es, -ies

Add -es after s, x, sh, ch; change y to i before -es.

  1. boxes
  2. dishes
  3. wishes
  4. buses
  5. lunches
  6. babies
  7. cities
  8. stories
  9. pennies
  10. ponies
List 2 worksheets(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)
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List 3: Compound words

Two small words joined into one.

  1. sunshine
  2. rainbow
  3. football
  4. birthday
  5. bedroom
  6. cupcake
  7. homework
  8. inside
  9. something
  10. sometimes
List 3 worksheets(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)
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List 4: Contractions

Two words joined, with an apostrophe where letters are left out.

  1. can't
  2. don't
  3. isn't
  4. didn't
  5. I'm
  6. it's
  7. we're
  8. they're
  9. you'll
  10. won't
List 4 worksheets(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)
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List 5: Homophones

Words that sound the same but are spelled differently.

  1. hear
  2. here
  3. right
  4. write
  5. sea
  6. see
  7. one
  8. won
  9. blue
  10. blew
List 5 worksheets(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)
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List 6: Prefixes un- and re-

un- means not; re- means again.

  1. undo
  2. unhappy
  3. unlock
  4. unfair
  5. unkind
  6. redo
  7. reread
  8. retell
  9. replay
  10. rewrite
List 6 worksheets(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)
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List 7: Suffixes -ful, -less, -ly

Add the suffix to the base word.

  1. helpful
  2. careful
  3. hopeful
  4. careless
  5. useless
  6. fearless
  7. slowly
  8. quickly
  9. sadly
  10. kindly
List 7 worksheets(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)
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List 8: Silent letters kn, wr, mb

One letter is written but not heard.

  1. knee
  2. knife
  3. knock
  4. know
  5. wrist
  6. wrong
  7. wrap
  8. lamb
  9. climb
  10. thumb
List 8 worksheets(5 pages, color)Ink saver (B&W)
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What the printables look like

Pages 1 and 3 of list 1. Every list follows the same five-page layout.

3rd grade spelling list 1 worksheet, page 1
Page 1: word list and spelling rule
3rd grade spelling list 1 worksheet, page 3
Page 3: word scramble

Common questions

How many spelling words should a 3rd grader learn each week?

These lists use 10 words a week, which matches many classrooms. If a child is struggling, cut the list to the first five words and add the rest once those are secure.

What spelling patterns are taught in 3rd grade?

The lists here cover spelling rules for endings, plurals, contractions, homophones and affixes: Doubling and dropping e, Plurals -s, -es, -ies, Compound words, Contractions, Homophones, Prefixes un- and re-, Suffixes -ful, -less, -ly, Silent letters kn, wr, mb. Your school's order may differ, so pick the list that matches what your class is working on.

Can I change the words on the worksheets?

Yes. Every list has an "Edit in the generator" link that opens it in the free worksheet generator, where you can add, remove or replace words and download a new PDF.

Spelling words for other grades